Last weekend, the Auburn football team suffered a brutal 21-14 home loss to the California Golden Bears. Auburn entered as a double-digit favorite, but quarterback Payton Thorne tossed four interceptions in the stunning defeat. Thorne has now thrown just 15 touchdowns against 13 picks in 13 starts against FBS opponents. With head coach Huge Freeze likely feeling the pressure of the shocking defeat, the frontman announced a switch at quarterback on Friday.
Auburn football will turn to redshirt freshman Hank Brown over Thorne in their Saturday clash against the New Mexico Lobos. He becomes the first quarterback not named Payton Thorne to start a game since Robby Ashford in 2023. With Thorne owning just a 7-8 record as a starter with the Auburn Tigers, fans were eager to hear the news of Brown moving up on the depth chart.
Auburn Fans Excited for Hank Brown Start
According to Auburn football reporter Justin Hokanson of On3 Sports:
Sources: Redshirt freshman Hank Brown is slated to start at QB for Auburn against New Mexico on Saturday. For now, Brown replaces starter and team captain Payton Thorne in the starting lineup.
In last Saturday’s outing against the Cal Golden Bears, Thorne went 14-of-27 for 165 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Thorne has averaged less than 170 passing yards against FBS opponents during his tenure with the SEC club, per Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Following the poor performance, Thorne will make way for Hank Brown starting this weekend against the New Mexico Lobos.
Brown, a three-star recruit from the 2023 class, threw nine passes in relief last season. He threw to touchdowns on five passes in the team’s season opener blowout win against Alabama A&M. The six-foot-four passer will now make his first career start on Saturday. Brown joined Auburn football after holding offers from Illinois, Pittsburgh, Liberty, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt. Despite Brown lacking a blue-chip prospect grade, fans were quick to celebrate the announcement of his start and the benching of Thorne:
Hank Brown is officially QB1 🦅 pic.twitter.com/bmO3vlToC3
— Top Tier Auburn (@TopTierAuburn) September 13, 2024
finally now auburn can win some football games with that bum thorne out of the way… next we have to do is get rid of hugh “hooker” freeze and auburn will return to its glory days!
— Joshua (@melch_joshua) September 13, 2024
Coaches have to make tough decisions. It’s the best move for the team this weekend. Let’s see how Hank does. War Eagle!
— Kyndall White (@coachkw01) September 13, 2024
If there is a a QB in the SEC Thorne is better than, name him in a reply to this comment. O line wasn't perfect, but it held up when a play needed to be made and PT didn't hold up his end of the deal..
— JohnFromFlorence (@troofherts) September 13, 2024
Hopeful this solves the QB situation after the disaster last Saturday
— Locke’s Locks (@LockeLocks) September 13, 2024
They made the right choice
— FindingDiamonds (@PAPicks76) September 13, 2024
This was the right decision. There’s no downside to figuring out what you have in Hank Brown NOW while your season still has life. This an opportunity so many backups never see. I hope Hank makes the most of it. #auburnfootball @thewarrapport https://t.co/drPdlPsCqt
— Mike G. (@mikegittens) September 13, 2024
hank brown > paython thorne
my column: pic.twitter.com/i1WpR2e3fB— joshdub (@joshdub_) September 13, 2024
Hank Brown RN: https://t.co/Yc7P9uO1a3 pic.twitter.com/gSTe0wibch
— TheRealJT (@JT_WDE) September 13, 2024
Now auburn family, no matter what happens Saturday, please allow Hank brown to get some drives under his feet DO NOT HAVE A MELTDOWN . I REPEAT DO NOT HAVE A MELT DOWN SATURDAY. It is his first collegiate start.
Everyone have a good day 🦅😌
— Ace 🦅 (@AceWDE) September 13, 2024
All Hank Brown throws against Maryland last year(YT video)https://t.co/TVlbPFIF64
— Aubie’s son🦅 (@AubieSon) September 13, 2024
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